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Cambridge University to host new Islamic studies hub

Written by News Desk

Wednesday, 07 May 2008

The establishment of the centres will be funded by a £16 million endowment by Prince Alwaleed bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman of the Kingdom Foundation

The University of Cambridge is playing a key role in a new initiative designed to enhance understanding between the Muslim world and the West.

Cambridge is one of two UK universities – Edinburgh is the other – that will create centres of research for Islamic studies.

The establishment of the centres will be funded by a £16 million endowment by Prince Alwaleed bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman of the Kingdom Foundation.

The centres will aim to carry out both research and public engagement designed to build a bridge of understanding between the Muslim world and the West based on greater knowledge.

The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony at Buckingham Palace, attended by Prince Alwaleed and Prince Philip, who is Chancellor of both universities.

The Cambridge-based HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies will enable the development of a “constructive and critical awareness of the role of Islam in wider society”, initially through research programmes on Islam in the United Kingdom and Europe, and Islam and the media.

It will also run various public programmes, such as public lectures, conferences and summer schools, designed to promote understanding of Islam in the wider world. Policy-makers and other public figures will be invited to become visiting fellows at the centre and take part in its research programmes.

Professor Yasir Suleiman, director of the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge said: “The aim of the centre will be to foster a deeper understanding between Islam and the West through the twin paths of high-quality research and an energetic outreach programme.

“We intend to create a world-class cadre of researchers and build partnerships with other centres and members of the European Muslim community to advance tolerance, mutual understanding and cross-cultural dialogue between Islam and the West.”

Prince Alwaleed added: “It is paramount for both Islam and the West to reach mutual ground for pro-active dialogue, respect, acceptance and tolerance. We are determined to continue building the bridge between Islam and the West for peace and humanity.”

Following the Prince’s passion to help create a better world, he created Kingdom Foundation – a charitable and philanthropic organisation with a mission to help alleviate suffering around the world and transcend international borders.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Professor Alison Richard said: “This new centre at Cambridge will quickly establish itself as a major force for research, teaching and public understanding.

“By providing a clear, central focus for studying Islam in the contemporary world, as well as engagement with the wider community outside the University, it will harness the richness and variety of Cambridge’s contributions to research and teaching on Islam to make the whole far greater than the current sum of our parts.”

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